Write Your Novel
Step by Step


By Melanie Anne Phillips
Creator of StoryWeaver

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For Story

Structure


Story Structure

Library


Videos on

Structure



For Story

Development


Writing

Tips

Library


Articles on Writing






Read the Science Fiction Thriller

From the founder of Storymind

Man Made follows a mysterious force as it sweeps around the globe erasing anything man made - from buildings, vehicles, and technology to medicines, clothing, and dental work.

Governments stagger under the panic, religions are at a loss for an explanation, scientists strive for any means to stop or divert the phenomenon, and the world’s population from families to individuals struggle to prepare for The Event, which will drive humanity back beyond the stone age.

The Event is coming.

Are you prepared?

Copyright Melanie Anne Phillips


Storymind

Free Writing Resources

~ Step 44 ~



Success or Failure?


A story without a clear indication of success or failure is a failure of a story.  You need to work out exactly how your readers will know the goal is achieved or not.


This might seem obvious in an action story, but may be much more difficult in a story about character growth.


Success and Failure don't have to be binary choices; they can be matters of degree.  For example, the effort to bring back a treasure may fail, but the adventurers discover one large ruby that fell into their pack.  Or, someone seeking true love might find love but with someone who is rather annoying.


Whether either of these examples is a partial success or a partial failure depends largely on how you portray the characters' attitudes to the imperfect achievement.


In this step, state whether your story ends in success or failure, and how that is measured.